Pacific creolefish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pacific creolefish |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Serranidae |
| Subfamily: | Epinephelinae |
| Genus: | Paranthias |
| Species: |
P. colonus
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| Binomial name | |
| Paranthias colonus (Valenciennes, 1846)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Pacific creolefish (also known as Paranthias colonus) is a type of grouper fish. You can find these fish in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. They often swim together in small groups above coral reefs. If danger comes close, they quickly hide in the reef. These fish also form big schools in the middle of the water when they are looking for food. They mostly eat tiny creatures called plankton. They can pick out individual plankton from the water because their short snout helps them see things up close with both eyes. They live in waters up to 100 meters (about 330 feet) deep.
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What Does the Pacific Creolefish Look Like?
The Pacific creolefish has a long, sleek body that is shaped like a spindle. Its head is small and rounded on both the top and bottom. These fish have special comb-like parts called gill rakers on their first gill arch, usually between 37 and 44 of them.
Their fins also have a specific number of rays. The fin on their back (dorsal fin) has 9 strong rays and then 19 to 21 softer rays. The fin on their belly (anal fin) has 3 strong rays and 9 to 11 softer rays. Their side fins (pectoral fins) have 19 to 23 rays. The tail fin of the Pacific creolefish has a deep curve, like a crescent moon. These fish can grow to be about 36 centimeters (about 14 inches) long.
Colors of Young and Adult Fish
Young Pacific creolefish often have a bright yellow color. They also have five small dark spots along their back. As they grow into adults, their colors change. Adult fish are usually greenish-brown on their top side and reddish underneath. They have five white or blue-white spots on their back. Their fins are typically reddish.
Where Do Pacific Creolefish Live?
Pacific creolefish live in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Their home range stretches from the Gulf of California all the way down to Peru. You can also find them around several islands in this area. These islands include the Revillagigedo, Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos Island, and Malpelo islands.
Tiny Creatures Living on Fish
Just like all animals, Pacific creolefish can have tiny creatures living on or inside them. These are called parasites. For example, off the coast of Mexico, some Pacific creolefish have been found with small worms called nematodes, like Anisakis sp. They can also have tiny crustaceans called copepods, such as Caligus sp. In 2015, a new type of tiny flatworm, called Pseudorhabdosynochus jeanloui, was discovered on these fish off the coast of Peru.
 | Audre Lorde |
 | John Berry Meachum |
 | Ferdinand Lee Barnett |
